Types of Check Frauds
Fraud has increased around the globe contributing to the revenue losses in many organizations. Among the most vulnerable areas for loss in the business is the misappropriation of funds and billing schemes.
Financial institutions are the most threatened businesses that are likely to face check fraud. For the methods of check frauds used, there are various methods, with some landing the loss to the consumer unknowingly.
Paper hanging
Account-holders may sometimes intentionally write bad checks in their account; this is paper hanging. These accounts may be new and only opened to meet the wrong credit business. Thus it is important for business owners to take into account and be careful when accepting new startups account.
The business should also observe the number of checks in the graft; those with fewer checks may not be genuine. Another form of paper hanging involves the writing of check-in accounts that are already closed with the knowledge that no amount of money exists in the account. Frauds in this category extend to overpaying, where fraudsters write a check for a higher amount than previously owed.
Check Kiting
This is an illusion created by a fraudster concerning two accounts. The accounts may belong to the same person or another person. A person may write a check from one account to another showing the same balance. This is an illusion since one of the accounts does not have any money. These people are likely to withdraw the cash and escape. Also, they may do some kite checks within the two accounts as they are trying to take advantage of float.
Check Floating
Fraudsters are now learning how to utilize float time. The business starts as early as writing bad checks and opening two accounts from where these mischievous activities happen. They also use a variety of schemes to achieve the check floating. It increases the chances of an over withdrawal from one account to another and opens room for errors if the process is repeated severally. It is up to the organization to come up with a tool that can detect check floating.
Check Forgery
Forging is a common act among banks. It involves writing your name on a check that is initially not yours and forging a signature on it. After the check is deposited into personal accounts. Check forgery extends to forgery of endorsement and picking someones full identity to cash the check through his bank.
Takeover of Accounts
Here a scam artist takes over the account of another person through an online account or visiting a bank branch with the pretense of being the owner of the account. During this time, fake checks may be drafted, and the kiting scheme is used to explore more opportunities for sourcing out money.
Check Theft
Similar to forgery, a person may steal a paper check and forge the owner’s signature. It may also include stealing account numbers, printing the checks, and using these checks to withdraw money from the account. It may also lead to counterfeit when check prints have been stolen.
Identification check theft
Here, a person may steal personal details belonging to someone else and open an account using these details. Eventually, they may begin to write bad checks using the account. Mostly these people evade being caught, and the victims suffer the loss of money and identity.
Scams on fake paycheck
These are people who scam the victim by promising a job, one that is rare and somehow secretive. A paycheck is sent to the victim, asking them to send details of his account. Additionally, the paycheck comes with some instructions on how to try a transfer service that the victim will be working on. As they send the check back, the check bounces, and the victim loses their money.
Washing
These are chemical alterations done on a check which washes away all the information on a check. The empty check is then printed in favor of the fraudsters, and new entries are made on the amount.
Deceiving lottery checks
Here the victims are deceived into having won a lottery; they receive a check for the winning in addition to the instructions for sending the transfer fees. However, the checks being used are usually fake, and thus the victim loses money.
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